Many people are switching to vegan diets. You may be wondering if it is worth trying a plant-based eating pattern.
The trend of veganism is not a new one. People have been vegetarians and vegans for thousands of years. The acceptance of a vegan diet as an alternative to a meat-based diet has grown in the last few years for various reasons.
These include being more animal friendly, the negative impact of animal diets on the body, and the health benefits that vegan diets provide. Here you can learn about the health benefits of a vegan lifestyle.
What is a vegan diet?
Vegans exclude all animal products from their lifestyle, including clothing, food, cosmetics, and wool coats.
A vegan diet is also a plant-based diet that excludes all animal products, including dairy, meat, and eggs.
Vegan diets help you to lose weight. This is the main reason why people switch from being vegetarian. Here are some vegan foods that you can enjoy:
-
Fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen, canned, or dried
-
Whole grains and products made of these grains, such as whole-grain pasta and bread
-
Nuts and seeds
-
Beans, peas, and lentils
-
Maple syrup
-
Plant milk and yogurt fortified
-
Soy products, such as soybeans, tofu and natto, fortified milk, soybeans, and soybeans
-
Algae and nutritional yeast are other plant-based products.
A vegan diet excludes all animal-derived products such as eggs, milk, cheeses, creams, and butter, kinds of honey, whey, gelatins, poultry, pork, types of beef, fish, shellfish, and water animals.
What health benefits can a vegan diet offer?
A plant-based diet gives us most of the nutrients we need daily. Here are some of the health benefits that a vegan lifestyle can provide:
-
A vegan diet promotes weight loss. The vegetarian diet’s high fiber, low-fat, and lower-calorie content promotes weight management and higher metabolism. A study found that participants on a vegan diet lost more than those who followed the Mediterranean diet for 16 weeks.
Vegans tend to have a lower BMI than other dieters.
-
Lower Blood Sugar Levels: Plant-based diet does not cause a sudden rise in blood sugar after eating. The diet also helps to maintain blood sugar levels, reduce insulin resistance and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are having trouble managing your blood sugar, try a plant-based diet.
-
Improves cardiovascular health: From the American Heart Association, a plant-based dietary regimen is high in fiber and low in saturated fats. It also reduces cholesterol. Cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular diseases because it leads to their development. The vegan diet also has fewer calories and also can lower the BMI making it safer from obesity.
-
Reduces the risk of different cancers. Plant-based diets contain high fiber and antioxidants.
Many researchers believe red and processed meat may be carcinogenic, increasing the risk of colorectal and pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers. Replacing it with plant-based food can reduce the risk of cancer.
-
Reduces stroke risk: Following the vegan diet can eliminate stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure levels, excess body weight, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.
-
Improves brain health: A vegan diet contains antioxidants and polyphenols that slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Reduces osteoarthritis symptoms. One research shows that vegan diet encompasses higher levels of antioxidants and bioactive compounds that can benefit those with arthritis and its symptoms which include pain, stiffness, and inflammation of the joints and muscles. There is evidence that plant based foods cause an increase in energy and improve joint function.
People prefer veganism even though it has numerous advantages for their health. It reduces emission of green house gases, reduces the use of fossil fuels and natural resources in the society.
Veganism is now trending. There are several benefits of taking vegan diet these include: There is a possibility of losing some extra weight through taking vegan diet. Long-term plant diet is equally disadvantageous because it causes nutrient deficiency in the body. If you have decided to become a vegan then you should consult a dietitian so that you can take all the necessary nutrients.
